Posted on: 12:30pm Jul 1, 2009

Unbelievable! Kancil car cost RM424 for 2-days rent in Kota Kinabalu

kota-kinabalu-city

It’s been awhile since my last visit to Kota Kinabalu or KK – a city that native Sabahans obviously hate to share with ‘Pilak’ illegal immigrants? from neighboring Philippines and Indonesia.

As in any other cities around the country – Kota Kinabalu physical transformation is no less impressive over the last few years. Landmark development project such as the Sutera Harbour had transformed once an eyesore squatters area into a five star resort complete with its own golf course and marina!

The must visit – handicraft market (also known as Filipino market) located along Tun Fuad Stephen road, which is within 5 minutes walking distance from the Le Meridien hotel showed no sign of business slowing down – despite current global recession.

We accept credit card sign is now becoming common sight in the Pasar Kraftangan locally known as Filipinos market - whose customers include moneyed Bruneian, west Malaysian and Singaporean visitors.

Well moneyed Bruneian, west Malaysian and Singaporean visitors still thronged the market looking for bargain popular women accessories such as crystal bracelets, brooch, necklaces and pearl (both fake and genuine are sold).

I remember Sepanggar bay area was very much an outskirt, peripheral area no less different than the villages found along the Likas river. Not anymore. Now it has the biggest lifestyle hyper-mall on the island of Borneo – the 1Borneo Hyper Mall and two four star rated international hotels!

Real estate developers are busy building condominiums, premium real estates – probably anticipating more demand in future.

Renting a car is the best way to get around Kota Kinabalu. But it isn't come cheap in Kota Kinabalu nowadays.

Perhaps, in tandem with the city fast changing landscape, so too, the cost of goods and services around the city. Car rental business for example is growing, probably booming as demand increases. Now to rent a car you need at least RM400++ – that’s inclusive of RM 18.00 Collision Damage Waiver, another RM 200.00 for car deposit.

Mind you, that’s the lowest rate you expected to pay not for a Mercedes or other higher capacity cars. But a Kancil. Kancil 660cc to be exact, not 850cc! Another company quoted a proton saga (old model) car at RM280 per day! – something I used to pay for a Honda in Kuala Lumpur!

I didn’t dare to ask for 4-WD vehicles such as Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi storm or Ford Ranger quotation – knowing it would cost me a fortune for two days rent.

Thankful, our friend Chua came back to Kota Kinabalu from vacation on time. He helped us with the car rental. Instead of paying RM400++ we only paid RM120 for two days rental.

Posted on: 8:08am Jul 1, 2009

Sarawak politicians help funding Malaysian Mirror?

malaysianmirror

MalaysiaMirror.com officially launched by former premier Tun Mahathir is reported to be backed (funded is probably the correct description) by deep pocket Sarawakian politicians? Rumored to be a BN component party leader?

But the portal editor Francis Siah, quash the rumour by saying “I don’t know the president of this party and neither does he knows me,”

However, available info on the portal didn’t refute the fact that it is funded by politicians.

Any chance it could be SUPP boss? or SPDP? – the multi-millionaire Datuk Seri Tiong?

Posted on: 8:27am Jun 29, 2009

1Borneo, the largest probably, certainly not the best

Visited Kota Kinabalu briefly last week. A lot have changed since my last visit there. 1Borneo – the shopping complex – touted itself as the “largest lifestyle hyper mall” was the most visible addition.

1Borneo Hypermall

Note – it says ‘largest hyper mall”. However it didn’t say where – but I bet – they are referring to island of Borneo. No doubt it was ‘big’ but not huge – probably two third of Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.

1Borneo-13

1Borneo is celebrating it first year anniversary promising to give shopper cash rewards. I was expecting the mall to be packed with shoppers as it was a Saturday afternoon. Surprised. I asked a friend why the mall look rather ’shopper-less’. He said it an expensive place to shop. Most people still prefer the good, familiar place to shop – the Center Point.

“Who wants to buy the same good, same brand name at double the price of Center Point,” he remarked.

I was also told that the 1Borneo GSC (Golden Screen Cinema) roof located at the top floor collapsed barely month after it was opened. Asked if it was ever reported in the media – he said “no one dare as it involved the most powerful man in Sabah”.

A typical ‘Bolehland’ way of doing businesses. There were cracks everywhere on the floor and larger ones were concealed with carpets.

1Borneo-12

“Opening Soon” signage like this one were everywhere.

1borneo-11

Posted on: 9:47pm Jun 24, 2009

Four year-old Turkish boy survives freak car accident

In freak accident in southern Turkish town – a boy named Mohammet Dirlik, 4 survived a freak accident after being hit by car. He was standing on top of The speeding motor slews off the road and crashes into the Turkish boy, who is standing at the top of a flight of eight concrete stairs.

Muhammet escapes certain death by just a few centimeters as the car’s bumper appears to catch him on the back of his legs and sends him flying 10 feet through the air.

As the car ploughs through the glass shop window front, the lucky youngster darts to the left and lands on his backside at the bottom of the stairs.

Amazingly, moments after the horror collision, Muhammet jumps up from the ground and appears to run around in small circles, looking dazed and confused.

Posted on: 8:16pm Jun 24, 2009

Malaysians have to wait for another 10 years for broadband internet

According Dr Ongkili high-speed broadband Internet infrastructure was being rolled out currently and would take about 10 years to complete. He said it’s going to cost RM11.2 billion of which RM2.4 billion from the government another RM8.9 billion from Telekom Malaysia.

“We need major roll-out of the broadband plan in order to reduce costs. Pikom (Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia) has proposed that the cost should be no more than RM30 a month to make broadband accessible to all and increase Internet access.

He said he believed that target broadband speeds of 20Mbps for the commercial sector and not less than 2Mbps for the general population could be achieved within the next three years.

He added that while high-speed broadband Internet development was in the purview of the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, his ministry was responsible for content development.

Posted on: 9:59am May 18, 2009

Bintulu bloggers meet-up is scheduled on June 6

There aren’t many ‘active’ bloggers in Bintulu gauging from the response we received here. Currently there are less than 10 people who have confirmed their attendance.

It will be held at One Bakery – next to ParkCity Mall on June 6 – immediately after the Gawai Dayak holidays. Everybody is invited – especially if you’re in Bintulu on June 6. Check the latest updates at Bintulu Community Forum (BCF).

Posted on: 7:44pm Apr 26, 2009

Bintulu Community Forum (BCF) – 3 weeks later

It’s been 17 days since Bintulu Community Forum (BCF) re-launched and so far it had attracted negligible 26 members! Hmm something I had not really hope for. Need to figure out how to promote the site effectively now – perhaps more social media exposure.

Posted on: 11:07pm Apr 10, 2009

Rocker Amy of rock band Search has a blog, no kidding

Phewwiitt… Malaysia so called “king of rock” Amy the lead singer of local rock band Search has started a blog. Seriously. The blog aptly called “The Producer’s Blog“.

I remember screaming, jumping when they were performing in Miri in the early 90’s. Isabella is still my favorite tune. Amy “you’re rock la”

Posted on: 2:09pm Apr 9, 2009

Relaunch Bintulu Community Forum

After weeks of trying restore corrupted database copy but to no avail – I decided to make a fresh install, instead. However, there is a trade-off – several members would have to re-register. Sorry guys.

Posted on: 8:48am Apr 6, 2009

Bintulu still retain its old charms as fishermen’s town

btu-001

The fast industrializing Bintulu still retain very much of its old charm as fisherman’s town. The folks at Kampung Jepak, an old fishing village built on stilt fronting the town center is still largely dependent on the sea for a living. This is despite the fact that Bintulu is home to billion dollar industry – the oil and gas.

btu-002

Upon completion of the Kemana bridge built in 1982 – an access road has been built linking the sleepy fishing village to the town center. However, crossing the river via the bridge would take at least 20 minutes compare to less than 5 minutes using the “tut tut” or a small ferry.

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